"And so I loved not earthly joys,
The merry dance and play,
But sought to commune with the stars,
And learn the wind's wild lay.
"The pure and gentle flowers became
As sisters fair to me:
I needed no interpreter
To read their language free.
"And 'neath the proud and grand old trees
That seemed to touch the sky,
We prayed, alike with lowly head,
The violets and I.
"And years rolled on and brought to me
But woman's lot below,
Intensest hours of happiness,
Intensest hours of woe.
"For one there was whose word and smile
Had power to thrill my heart:
One eve the summons came for him
To battle to depart.
"And when again the setting sun
In crimson robed the west,
They bore him to his childhood's home,—
The life-blood on his breast.
"Another day, at vesper chime,
They laid him low to sleep,
And always at that fated hour
I kneel to pray and weep.
"'T is said the radiant stars of night,
When viewed through different air,
Appear not all in golden robes,
But various colors wear.
"And through another atmosphere,
My spirit seemed to gaze
For never more wore life to me
The hues of other days.
"Once to my soul unbidden came
A strange and fiery guest,
That soon assumed an empire there,
And never is at rest.